Verizon Wireless announced today that it is once again offering an educational empowerment program at two Boston Public Schools in partnership with Samsung. First introduced locally in 2012 at the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, the Verizon Wireless Education Empowerment Program is being offered again at O'Bryant and has also expanded to include Boston Green Academy. The curriculum focuses on mobile learning, teaching students how to leverage technology in and out of the classroom, preparing them for entering higher education or the workforce.

"Giving back to the community is a top priority for Verizon Wireless," commented Christine Berberich, regional president for Verizon Wireless. "The Education Empowerment Program teaches students about technology, exposes them to learning experiences they wouldn't ordinarily have and drives home the importance of continuing their education."

The program's signature component is its student application development competition. Ten teams of three students, all selected by the schools' administration, will work to develop unique app concepts and create marketing plans. Students will attend workshops facilitated by Verizon Wireless team members, covering topics relevant to high school seniors, such as creating resumes and sharpening job interview skills.

At the end of the project in May, teams will present their app concepts and marketing plans. A panel of judges from Verizon Wireless will select the top three finalists of the four-month project and a public online vote will determine first and second place winners. Each member of the winning team will receive a $5,000 scholarship, a new Samsung tablet and Verizon Wireless summer internship opportunities. Each member of the second and third place teams will receive a Samsung tablet.

"The Verizon Wireless Empowerment program has proven to be a relevant and engaging project for the students to undertake," said Michael Sullivan, Science and Technology Program Director at John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Boston Green Academy's Technology Director Ryne Deckard concurred. "Students are super excited and fully engaged. It is great to see the wheels turning as they come up with ideas for a completely new mobile app."

Most of the educational empowerment program will be facilitated on the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ using Edmodo's free Android App, an online social learning network for education. SOTI, a world leader in enterprise Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solutions, will provide complimentary security for the tablets used in the program.

"Similar programs have been very satisfying for us over the past couple of years in other locations, including Newark and Boston, and we're excited to continue with John D. O'Bryant and Boston Green Academy," said Todd Pendleton, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung. "Aside from being a premier mobile lifestyle and communication device, the Tab is also well-suited for educational purposes and gives us the opportunity to use our technology to help students succeed both in their education and livelihoods."